Urban Maasai: Kakamega Family’s East African Restaurant Draws Up to 300 Guests Daily in Zambia.

How a Kenyan Family Turned Their Culinary Heritage Into Lusaka’s Must-Visit Dining Destination

In the bustling heart of Lusaka, Zambia, a family from Kakamega, Kenya, is making waves in the culinary scene with their thriving restaurant, Urban Maasai. Serving up to 300 guests per day, this East African-inspired hotspot has captured the taste buds and hearts of locals and visitors alike.

Founded by Bernard Oguna and William Oduor, alongside their family members, Urban Maasai combines cultural pride with entrepreneurial spirit. The restaurant, located at Plot No. 3832 Great East Road in Lusaka’s Olympia area, offers an unmatched blend of East African flavors, Zambian favorites, and international cuisine, including Italian and Japanese dishes.

The idea behind Urban Maasai was simple: fill a gap in the market for authentic East African cuisine. From nyama choma and kuku choma to ugali and mbuzi choma, Oguna explains that the restaurant reflects both their heritage and personal experiences.

“We wanted an East African restaurant where you can have nyama choma, ugali, kuku-choma, and mbuzi-choma. Every time we had a meeting, we wondered where to get East African food; so we said, why not make it ours?” Oguna said.

Urban Maasai is a true family business, uniting the talents of four brothers, their wives, and cousins. Oguna highlights the importance of creating a platform where the family could thrive together.

“We thought about running a family business where everyone could bring their expertise. We realized our talents were scattered, generating value for others, so we decided to have something that worked for us,” he said.

The restaurant is more than a dining spot—it’s an experience celebrating African culture. Each section of Urban Maasai is uniquely themed after major African cities such as Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Kigali, Bujumbura, and Lusaka. The bar, called Zanzibar, enhances the East African vibe, making it a cultural and culinary destination.

Despite operating in a foreign country, the Urban Maasai team found Zambia to be warm, welcoming, and business-friendly. Oduor shared how the local people’s hospitality contributed to their success.

“Zambia is beautiful with amazing people. As a Kenyan, it was easy to feel the warmth. They don’t see us as competition but as a complement to who they are,” he said.

With its diverse menu, vibrant cultural experience, and expertly grilled nyama choma at the center of it all, Urban Maasai is redefining East African cuisine in Zambia, one guest at a time.